I've dined here a few times, yet enough times to lose count of how many times that is exactly, and…read moreenough to know I usually walk away feeling quite meh.
It's a cute little place, don't get me wrong. They have a formal and an informal dining area, which is a good idea. Fully licenced, cake fridge, pizza bar, coffee machine etc etc etc. Family run obviously, and they pride themselves with their regulars and their reputation ... but it just isn't for me.
First things first I feel their prices are a little overpriced. To me they're a local Italian restaurant/take away situated in the 'burbs, with nothing greatly fancy to one's eye. A lot of their pastas range between $18-$25. I think the Marinara was about $30. Their steaks and veal menu are average prices I guess ($28-$35), along with chicken dishes like schnitzel were up there averging around $30. The pizza prices are fair. The smaller size starts at $15, while it climbes to about $30 for the larger size. The seafoodey style Pizzas climed to $35.
Their seafood menu, which consists of things like crumbed calamari, whiting, crumbed prawns, garlic prawns, fishermen's basket, were all mostly $30 or more. The crumbed calamari was the cheaper option sitting on around $25. They serve up a mixed seafood grill which will set you back about $40.
The last time I dined here I ordered the crumbed calamari option coz sometimes I do enjoy a general "pub style" meal, even at a small family business like that. I did actually misread the menu when I ordered this, and clearly missed the fact that this meal doesn't come with chips. I was a bit taken-a-back when the meal came out. My first thought was "umm, did they leave them out...?", before I realised maybe they don't actually come with the meal. Never mind. Chips are normally what seals the deal for me when I order a meal like this.
On this same particular occasion I must add, I came here with a group of about 10 other people. We all ordered at the counter because we were paying seperately (keep in mind they don't do spilt bills at all if you're coming with a group) and ordered a mix of different things like pastas, pizzas, seafood. Once the meals starting coming out, the pastas and my seafood arrive. There was actually between 5-10 minutes until the rest of the meals started arriving at the table. I was nibbling at my calamari as I didn't want it to go cold, but by the time I was almost finished the meal was when the last couple pizzas came out. To add to the mix was that fact they actually "forgot" somehow one of our guest's meal altogether, and if she hadn't of asked where her food was she probably would've been sitting there waiting.
One in my group had the carbonara and thought it seemed quite gluggy and dry. I had a try and thought it could've used more flavour as well. I think the case was they make it moreso a traditional Italian-style without much cream at all.
I can give them credit on the fact the pasta dishes do come out a decent serving, which compensates for the price overall. Depending on what is ordered can be great value for money. The Con Pollo dish is really good with amazing flavours and a delight to eat. A basic spaghetti bolognase can't go wrong here either. They also do serve up a great home-made lasagna, which one has found a winner every time.
The customer service is good. They're professional and tentive when dining in, which is what you'd expect really. On one of the occasion one waitress was taking our orders, and I ordered something different being a "vegetarian pizza with added chicken", which is common but maaaaaybe not that common (laugh out loud), and the waitress had the audacity to repond with condescending "okay then....", which actually quite embarrassed me infront of my group as it became a laughing matter. I guess that's a more personal experience anyway, but taps into what the customer service can or could be.
Overall this place is a good little take away or dine in. Apparently they can also do functions etc. I think pasta-wise, depending on what you order, you'll likely be satisfied with your meal. And maybe if you don't mind paying that little bit extra for a pizza. Keep in mind La Romana Pizza Bar is not very far down the road, which is very similar (pizza, pasta etc) if not better on what they serve and seem to be half the price.
